“Austin!” I called out, desperately trying to think of something to say.
He turned around, a few feet away now, “Yeah?”
“Nice to meet you,” and she falls flat on her face for the second time today. I kicked myself for not being quicker to think of something funny and delightful, something that would draw him back to me like glue.
“You too,” he said turning away, heading to a group of guys to laugh and catch up some more.
Well, it was nice while it lasted. He’s obviously not going to be interested – just enjoy him from afar.
Heather found me, “I’ve done my good host bit; I’m golden.” She sat down and once again we rambled about nonsense while enjoying some grub under the big tree offering the most shade.
I turned to her, “I totally blew it. I wanted to be all cute and witty, but I had nothing,” I explained about my earlier hot dog encounter.
“Oh, you have it bad,” she laughed. “I’ll see if I can accelerate things. I’m such a good friend,” she mused. “Besides, you don’t want him yet. He needs some downtime. Let him get that stuff out of his system first. Trust me, when Scott gets back after a deployment, it takes awhile for us to work through those bits and pieces. You’ll have plenty of time later – when it will count.”
“He’s so…” my jaw was open wide, full of expression when who should walk up, of course, again looking my best.
“Heather, I was hoping I could steal Scott away next weekend. He says it’s up to you.” Austin was standing there looking incredible. I tried not to drool.
“The entire weekend,” she winced, “really?”
“Be a pal,” he coaxed, “I just want to help my little sister get moved into her new place at college. I told her I’d send a bunch of guys to help her get settled.”
Heather rolled her eyes, “Fine, but that only takes one day.”
“She’s in California,” he grimaced.
“What?”
Austin laughed, “Just playing. I was kind of hoping to get some one on one time with him. I could use someone to talk to if you don’t mind, you know, guy stuff.”
“You okay?” Heather asked, concerned.
He nodded, “Just the usual crap after a tour.”
“Okay, you can have him, but stay out of trouble,” she teased.
“Thanks,” he said sincerely, and about to turn away.
“Austin,” she said, stopping him in his track, “could you help my friend Katie here. She was saying she wanted to…” she stumbled, and I watched her revive in an instant. “She wants to learn how to spike a volleyball over the net, but is having trouble not hitting the net.”
“Could be a height thing, and you need to be close,” he said.
“Show her how,” she nudged.
“Sure, sure thing, just give me a minute,” he said. “I’ll be back,” he called over his shoulder.
I looked at Heather. I didn’t know whether to thank her or smack her. She recognized the look.
I watched him walk back over to Scott and pat him across the back, “You’re in,” he said. “Next weekend you’re mine.”
A few minutes later, he was heading back to us, and my stomach knotted up. I had nerves, butterflies roaming free in my belly, and swallowed hard as he came over.
“Ready,” he said, smiling down at me. That sultry, sexy, smile – I’m in trouble.
I put my beer down and stood, “I guess so,” my voice was softer than usual. Oh my gosh, find your voice – my heavy flirt mode wanted to turn on automatically, and I didn’t want it to. Not now, it wasn’t the time.
I followed him to the net. Austin went to the pole, picking up the volleyball sitting at the base and brought it over.
“I’m a little nervous, I took a face plant before you got here,” I admitted. “I dove for the ball, and landed quite elegantly on the ground, hence my red nose.”
“Well, in this case we’re jumping up, not down,” he soothed. “You should be fine.”
I watched as his body maneuvered, tossing up the ball, and then jumping up, smacking the ball down. I couldn’t look away. He was art in motion. Holy cow, I wanted him – now. I was almost embarrassed by this new sudden crush over a cute guy syndrome. I hoped my thoughts weren’t too obvious, because my hormones were raging, gushing through me so fast it was nuts.
As he explained the angle of my hand and where to hit the ball, I watched his lips, his mouth, and his eyes as he talked, and melted into a small puddle on the ground. When I regained my composure, I nodded and gave it a shot. I could get the angle, but truth be told, I couldn’t get the height on a jump. I thanked him for his time, not wanting it to end, but I couldn’t hold him there forever with a stinkin’ volleyball. I was kicking myself for the lack of conversation, but I couldn’t find my interesting and compelling voice. I simply nodded and smiled too much with him standing beside me. I wore a goofy grin, and hoped he didn’t see me as a complete idiot.